Photo: Stefan Baldauf/SB-Medien
Due to arrive in the flesh at the 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show next month, the G80 promises more suck-squeeze-bang-blow than the previous generation of the world’s favorite sports sedan. The 2020 BMW M3 will utilize the S58 inline-six engine with twin-turbocharging technology, the same powerplant found in the X3 M, X4 M, and the Competition versions of the two crossovers.
Speaking to Car Magazine, the head honcho of BMW M let it slip the M3 “will have 480-bhp in the standard version and 510-bhp in the Competition version.” Because we’re dealing with a British motoring publication, make that 480 and 510 PS or 473 and 503 horsepower. 600 Nm (442 pound-feet) of torque comes on strong at 2,600 through 5,950 rpm.
“Drivetrain-wise, think about the all-wheel drive system in the M5 - we are able to put it in the M3 as well,” said Markus Flasch. As expected, the less powerful version will stick to rear-wheel drive and a good ol’ stick shift because BMW can still make a case for such a purist layout.
Given how good the G20 is from the standpoint of driving dynamics, there’s no denying the G80 will run rings around the competition from Mercedes-AMG. Audi doesn’t even count because the RS4 Avant is based on a FWD car with a family-sized trunk. It remains to be seen, though, how Alfa Romeo will respond to the M3 with the mid-cycle refresh of the Giulia Quadrifoglio.
It’s also unknown if the United States will get the sports sedan for the 2020 model year, and even more curiously, BMW pulled off the from U.S. website and configurator for some reason or another. In all likelihood, the Bavarians are covering all of their bases ahead of the reveal.
On that note, rear-wheel-drive models are understood to include an e-controlled differential to keep the rear end in check when cornering. There are rumors a back-to-basics version of the G80 will also be offered with 454 horsepower (460 PS) on tap, but so far, BMW hasn’t confirmed this intel.
“Drivetrain-wise, think about the all-wheel drive system in the M5 - we are able to put it in the M3 as well,” said Markus Flasch. As expected, the less powerful version will stick to rear-wheel drive and a good ol’ stick shift because BMW can still make a case for such a purist layout.
Given how good the G20 is from the standpoint of driving dynamics, there’s no denying the G80 will run rings around the competition from Mercedes-AMG. Audi doesn’t even count because the RS4 Avant is based on a FWD car with a family-sized trunk. It remains to be seen, though, how Alfa Romeo will respond to the M3 with the mid-cycle refresh of the Giulia Quadrifoglio.
It’s also unknown if the United States will get the sports sedan for the 2020 model year, and even more curiously, BMW pulled off the from U.S. website and configurator for some reason or another. In all likelihood, the Bavarians are covering all of their bases ahead of the reveal.
On that note, rear-wheel-drive models are understood to include an e-controlled differential to keep the rear end in check when cornering. There are rumors a back-to-basics version of the G80 will also be offered with 454 horsepower (460 PS) on tap, but so far, BMW hasn’t confirmed this intel.
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